History in the making

Yesterday my two daughters, a friend, and I were able to witness a little piece of history in the making!  The Salem Musuem which was established in 1992 by the Salem Historical Society has been closed for the past two years while under-going extensive renovations to the old Williams-Brown house that was built around 1845 by architect William C. Williams. After his death in 1852 his daughter Mary and son-in-law Joshua R.C. Brown moved into the home and later passed it to their son, William Edward Brown.

The event kicked off with a speech given by the museum's director and curator, Mr. John Long, and an official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Board of Directors.  Visitors were then welcomed in for a free tour of the musuem and light refreshments.  While we were enjoying fresh squeezed lemonade and desserts, we were able to wander around the room and view paintings and photographs that depicted Salem's past.

While touring the museum we were oohing and ahhing over a fabulous display of dolls dressed in period clothing, women's shoes and  fashions, and a view of the Williams-Brown family parlor complete with antiques and a photograph of the Brown family.  I especially loved the ribbon art "girls" and the room dedicated to Lakeside Amusement Park. The park opened in 1920 and featured the "world's largest swimming pool".  Over the next few years rides were added and by 1968 the Shooting Star roller coaster was added to the park.  I had often heard Salem residents speaking fondly of the park and was greatly disappointed that it had closed in 1986 many years before my family moved here.  How my girls would have loved having an amuesment park in their backyard!

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